And now the final chapter of Emerald Flight Book One: Union.

Chapter Thirty Seven: Departure.

One thing could be for certain, and people were getting a hint of how the winds of change were blowing. Times had changed, and while many had longed to go back to a simpler time, there was no going back this time. Rather, it was time for a brave and bold new world. A world where there would be heroes ready to take up the challenge.

There were many questions and many fears what this brave new world would bring. Some remained optimistic for success, while others feared the possibility of a collective of super powered beings beyond most humans being their own line of defense.

"The citizens of the Earth are in the process of recovering from this past week's alien invasion. Yet, where there is life, there is hope, and there is a brave new hope that has just presented itself before the citizens of the world. It has been revealed that a new force for justice has formed. This Justice League will be around, and will be able to deal with threats both manifesting on Earth, and from the stars."

Images of the assembled Justice League dealing with a natural disaster were showed all over the television sets around the world.

"Opinions about the Justice League have been divided, and many people presently argue about their intentions. Especially given the events of over a year ago regarding Superman, and the fact general distrust has manifested regarding aliens and other super powered beings, after that dark day. Others have thought that something like this was long overdue, and we need such a force as threats get bigger and more dangerous. The arguments will occur in the months to come, but the effectiveness of the Justice League cannot be disputed during their first few days."

Images of Superman shaking hands with the United States President, as he officially gave his blessing to the League as the premier peace keeping force in for the citizens of the United States and hopefully the rest of the world. The assembled crowd cheered loudly at the heroes, but there were more than a few hecklers in the crowd. There would always be some hecklers, but there were supporters as well.

"It is only a matter of time before we need the Justice League again. The entire group has assured us that they are prepared to answer the call at a moment's notice. The days of heroes staying in their own jurisdiction might be over. The fact is we can sleep more safely at night knowing that the League is here to protect is brings many people solace, while it brings many others a great deal of worry and skepticism reigns supreme."

The news flashed images of several people who gave their opinions on the newly formed team of heroes.

"Yeah if you ask me, a bunch of capes in some flying fortress in the sky is just asking for trouble," said a young man. "A lot of people might think of these people as heroes, but they do their share of property damage. And they don't put food on my table.

"The Justice League could inspire our youth to take up vigilantism, and put themselves in danger," said a middle aged woman with grey hair. "Are these the role models that we should be celebrating? I feel it would be prudent to discourage their actions."

"But there have been some positive comments made as well in support of the Justice League."

"If you ask me, it's about time someone stepped up and did something," said another young man.

"Yeah, Justice League forever!" screamed a teenage girl.

"It is my professional opinion that the Justice League is something that is long overdue," said a smartly dressed middle aged man. "No offense made to our police and armed forces, but there are threats that are out of their pay grade. We're not losing our freedom like many may fear, but rather securing it."

The newscaster turned around to address the viewers at home.

"There will always be questions, and there will be concerns. But we should know that where there is crime, justice will prevail."

An image of the seven members of the Justice League dealing with a hostage crisis were shown, and the aftermath of the people being safe and secure. This image was shown to people, and allowed the home viewers to form their own opinions about how necessary the Justice League was.

X-X-X

A new day dawned in the world, and with it new challenges. Patronus Incorporated, even in these early morning hours, was a chaotic hub of activity. It was easy to get trapped in the hustle and bustle of the day, where pretty much every single person ran into each other. The fact it was a smoothly run company indicated that things were far less chaotic than it would be otherwise.

As with all corporations, it would not be a business day if someone was not freaking out and losing their nerve over something. The pressure was on, but it reflected well on the leadership that they were able to keep these situations mostly under control.

"Yeah, just do the best you can to get it done by the end of the month," said Harry over the intercom. "Don't rush it though; never sacrifice a functioning product for one that is put out on time. As you all know, people will more easily forgive a late product, more than a faulty one. You've all done good work on this one, so don't lose your cool and stick to the plan."

Harry took a deep breath. It was a crisis that happened every now and again, where a project management team lost their heads when a plan did not pan out in reality as well as it did on paper. He just took those things in stride. Righting the ship and keeping things cool had to come as seamless as breathing. Kara joined him at this moment.

"Well everything seems to be free and clear on my end," said Kara, with a shrug. "The fact that the company is running as smooth as it is…well its encouraging and all, isn't it?"

"Yeah, if it wasn't, I would not want to really go off into space for three months," said Harry, shaking his head. "Profits are up even more this quarter, and if we stick to the plan, the sky's a limit."

The two opened the doors and entered the conference room. They allowed themselves some time to look over the numerous plans that were on the drawing room table. This technology would make people's lives a lot easier, at a fraction of the price for their competitors. However, it was a balancing act to give people a deal without cutting themselves out of a healthy profit.

"It's a science Harry, and a calculated risk," said Kara, reading over the blueprints to one of their more ambitious projects. "But if it pays off, we could really get the one thing money can't buy."

"Brand loyalty," concluded Harry.

"Yep," she said with a smile, and the two proceeded to spend a few minutes lurking on the Internet to see the latest product reviews.

"Surprised to see so many positive reviews," said Harry.

"Well they aren't all positive," said Kara, clicking through to show them to Harry. "There's a few Luthor fanboys that are still butt hurt about the entire hostile takeover thing…that flame war looks pretty nasty."

Harry whistled as he looked at the Internet post his wife was reading.

"Yeah, and I thought stockholders could get hostile," said Harry, and both of them laughed.

More messages came in, with product proposals that Harry and Kara would have to sign off on, but that could wait. There were already a huge number of products on the ground floor, and several new bases being opened up in key locations in the United States by the end of the year. International expansion could only follow.

A knock on the door brought them out of their early morning business activities.

"Come in Hermione," said Harry, and Hermione walked in, looking at them, and sitting down.

"Everyone seems to be on edge for some reason," said Hermione in a conversational tone of voice.

"Oh don't mind them, three new products are being released in the next couple of weeks," said Kara. "Some of them put hours and hours into those products, and they think it could make or break their careers if they flopped."

"So no pressure or anything," said Harry.

Hermione reclined back in the chair. She looked at the latest reports, with interest.

"Well, your company seems to be growing," said Hermione, impressed. "And the fact you are actually taking an active interest in your company, and not reclining on the beach somewhere with your profits really does speak for your passion."

"We're to the point where we can only pop in a couple of times a week," said Kara.

"Just to make sure everything is fine, but we're on call if anyone needs us," said Harry. "Tonks is really settling in well with her job, and there are many others who have found their way to this company. Once the new branches have been set up, everyone won't be spread too thin. Then we got the bank and the school, and everything that goes along with it."

Kara placed her hand on Harry's and smiled. The future was shaping up to be a great one.

"And the old world just sputtered out,' said Hermione. "Well, they should have really seen the signs. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. If you are so ignorant about the changes going on around you, then well I don't know what to tell you."

The three nodded. Hermione helped herself to a cup of coffee. She slowly drank it.

"So the Justice League aren't wasting any time," commented Hermione.

"No they're not," said Kara. "Opinions are divided over them, but I think they'll do some good."

"So either you regretting not joining?" asked Hermione.

"No," said Harry and Kara in unison.

"Okay, no hesitation in your voices," said Hermione, with a raised eyebrow.

Kara and Harry just both smiled, before Harry elaborated.

"I've given my reasons on the Watchtower that day, and Kara and I discussed it a couple of times," said Harry. "The Justice League…it's going to polarizing enough without people digging through my past and finding out everything I got tied into. Plus, we're just a lot better being free agents."

"We can do so much more the two of us," said Kara. "But hey, we'll do the team up thing with them. We seem to do that often enough as is. Right now it's been petty terrorism or natural disasters, nothing that they need us for."

"Something tells me what's happening is just the calm before the storm for the League," said Harry darkly.

Hermione decided to delve into another matter.

"So any luck with the illusive Miss Greengrass?"

Harry and Kara both shook their heads. That was an unsolved mystery that might not resolve itself any time soon.

"Not for any lack of trying, but she's dropped off the map," said Harry after a moment's thought. "She's just like any other serial killer; she's gone into hiding when someone caught onto her motive. She has the money, so she might be able to hide for a while unless she slips up. For all I know, she could be behind a Fidelius Charm or some kind of enchantment to mask her. If that's the case, she has an accomplice of some sort. Whether it's willing or blackmail…I don't know…just theories at this point."

Harry paused. He had been mulling over this matter in his mind time and time again after the last couple of weeks. It could have been him that cracked and did something like this had things been a little bit different; it could have been anyone in fact. There were many people who were wronged by that world, by the games people in that world played.

It was only a matter of time before someone cracked, and that someone just happened to be Astoria Greengrass. Out of fear of what her future might hold, or perhaps out of some fit of rebellion, she committed the murders. The Wizarding World created its own monsters, and she was one of them. In some ways, Voldemort was another, and there were many other cases he was sure that had been swept under the rug.

A memory charm here and a cover up there, and most of the violent criminals and would be dark wizards had to have disappeared.

"I'd like to find her, and try and figure out what went wrong with her," said Harry, shaking his head. "It's just…closure is what we need in this situation. Just find out where she cracked. Or if she was always that way and good at hiding it."

"Yeah, from what you told me about her, she didn't seem like the type to crack like that," said Kara, grabbing Harry by the hand. "But, she's out there somewhere, she's killed before, and she could…she could kill again if she gets cornered."

Hermione just grimaced. She should have been able to pick up that Astoria was doing. She saw her lurking around a few times, but she just chalked it up to normal Slytherin behavior. That's what they did; they lurked and were always up to something.

She missed the signs. In hindsight the clues were right under her nose. Astoria tried to set her up as well as the murder suspect, just like she ended up doing to Malfoy.

Hermione was not going to forget that. If she got her hands on Astoria, she would be taken down harshly.

"None of us could have seen that one coming," said Harry. "I'd just like to bring her down, find her. And then we got to find Neville too…to see where his head is. But he seems to have vanished. And then there's Luna."

Harry took a deep breath, sighing. The fact they had no hint what happened to Luna was most unsettling. Other matters had monopolized their time, other situations had come up, and Luna seemed to be swept under the current of the destruction of that doomed world. She was a missing person case, no two ways about it.

"It's almost like Luna just dropped off the face of the Earth," said Hermione. "I've spent every free moment of my time searching for her, and Tonks has too. But there's been nothing. If the Ministry had anything to do with her disappearance, they trashed the records. Unless she's…"

"Until we find a body, we should assume that Luna's out there," said Kara, closing her eyes.

"We'll find her, someday, somehow," said Harry in a serious voice.

The three remained silent. Even if magical Britain had died out, at least in its current state, the ghosts still plagued them from that world.

"Do you think it will ever come back?" asked Hermione.

"In its current state, highly unlikely," said Harry. "I'm sure there were other magical empires that rose and died out eventually, but you wouldn't know from History of Magic. And knowing the Ministry, they long since torched all of the records or made sure no one would look into them. They wouldn't want their people to think that they could fail them to the point where they would be gone."

"But enough about the past," said Kara. "We're really building a future for many people, and Hermione….this means a lot to us that you're going to help babysit the company when we're off in OA."

"So, how many lawsuits do I have to prepare for when I get back?" asked Harry, with a teasing smile towards Hermione.

Hermione restrained herself from smacking her adopted younger brother. Sarcasm seemed like a much better weapon anyway.

"Oh, you're really funny," dead panned Hermione, with both Kara and Harry laughing. "I've studied your business plans until I've seen them in my sleep. From what I know, they should honestly work every single step of the way. I just follow those, and everything will be okay."

"Well I wouldn't give you such a responsibility if I didn't think you were capable," replied Harry.

"I'm just glad you put this amount of trust in me," said Hermione. "If this company does fail ever…that'd really hurt both of you. I don't see you two as the nine to five types, work at the beck and call for someone."

Kara and Harry both grimaced at that thought.

"No, that would interfere with a lot in our lives," said Kara, but she seriously doubted that would come to that. "But we've got a lot of money saved, from other investments. Patronus at its current rate will keep growing, unless we do about a dozen insanely stupid things in a row."

"Yeah, and it's still a fair bit when the taxman takes a huge chunk out of my wallet," said Harry with a good natured smile. They all laughed.

When the laughter died down, Harry continued to talk.

"But Hermione, I think if you just follow that blueprint that we left for you, everything should work out smoothly. People here, they can be left alone to their own devices, and everything will fall into place when the plan is followed. Trust me when I say everything is going to be okay."

"You're putting confidence in me, and I appreciate it," said Hermione. "Thank you, both of you, and I promise you'll still have a company when you'll come back. And as for that other thing you wanted to me to lead, I'll have the place cleared out and everything of value stored safely when they have all left."

"We're leaving in two days," said Kara, ticking off the things to do. "Got to stop over to Gotham City, and say goodbye to everyone over there. If there is a Gotham City, after the mass break of Arkham."

"Barbara did say that they're working around the clock, and at least a fourth of the inmates are back in," said Harry and Kara confirmed this with a nod. "Of course most of the heavy hitters are biding their time. And then after that, we're swinging by Smallville."

"Yeah, Ma and Pa would appreciate if they could see us one last time before we take off to OA," said Kara. "And if Clark can pull himself away from saving the world for the tenth time that day, he's stopping by too. It'd be nice to have one last home cooked meal."

"Sure beats cooking ourselves on our last night in," said Harry, and the three of them laughed. "Speaking of which, let's get some lunch, it's almost time. If you want to come too Hermione, you're more than…"

"Pass, Harry," said Hermione. "Thanks for the offer, but I've got things to do. Diana sends her regards; she's busy with League business and trying to argue with politicians. I better check the news to see if there are any casualties."

They laughed at this one, but there was about a fifty percent chance that Hermione's comment about there being casualties was not a joke. They all went their separate ways, with Kara and Harry ensuring they had all of the loose ends wrapped up before their departure.

A couple soared over Gotham City. It was daylight, so the chances for a crime should be decreased by approximately forty three percent.

At least that was the latest statistic coming out of the official police reports for this city. There was less crime during the day, then there was during the night.

One would think that criminals would remember the Batman factor, and therefore participating in criminal activity done at night would be hazardous to their health.

People never accused most criminals being smart.

Kara and Harry flew over the sky, in their super hero uniforms. They were not even in the city limits before they heard a sound.

"A car alarm going off, that's Gotham City for you," said Harry, but Kara just snickered at something that she saw on the ground. She pointed downwards and Harry followed her pointing.

Harry and Kara looked down and saw Killer Moth once more. It seemed like every time they popped by on Gotham City, he was trying to commit a crime. This time he was trying to break into a car.

"Car-jacking go wrong, Moth?" asked Kara.

Killer Moth jumped high into the air, surprised at the sudden intrusion and he stiffened when he saw the two super heroes before him.

"No, this is not an evil scheme worthy of a criminal mastermind such as myself," said Killer Moth, his hands shaking. "This is my mot…my car and I locked my keys inside it. I was trying to break in."

"Oh, that's too bad," said Harry in a calm voice, as Kara snickered. "Good luck with that."

The two turned their backs, and Killer Moth looked up at them, annoyed.

"Hey, wait, you've got to help me, you're supposed to be heroes!" yelled Killer Moth in a whiny voice. "Well, I'll show you. Next time, you'll be sorry. I'm going to bring you down with my nefarious schemes."

Killer Moth tried his best shot at an evil laugh, but started coughing from his efforts.

Kara and Harry shook their heads, flying off. Their destination ended at the secret entrance to the Batcave. They remembered the first time they took this trek, for their training. Their training with Batman had served them rather well. They needed that extra edge when going up against people powerful and more experienced than they were.

The sun was going down, so they figured someone would be in the cave at this point. They opened it up, and Barbara was already sitting down in the cave. Batman was at the Bat Computer, busy at work.

'Should have known,' thought Kara, seeing Batman was hard at working, keeping a close eye over the superstitious and cowardly lot in the city.

Barbara turned her head towards them, and looked up at the couple with a smile.

"Oh, hi, Kara, Harry, "said Barbara, massaging her shoulder.

"Hi, Barbara," said Harry, watching her wince as Barbara popped her shoulder back into place.

"Looks like you took a nasty shot," said Kara, with a concerned look on her face.

"Don't mind me, just goes with the territory," said Barbara. "We had a little situation with Killer Croc. You'd never believe what he did."

"Let me guess, he threw a rock at you," said Kara, shaking her head.

"Funnily enough he did," said Barbara, with a bit of a pained grin. "It makes him a bit predictable, well it would if you weren't trying to disable the explosive device he somehow managed to get his slimy hands on. I'll heal, don't worry."

Barbara just looked at them with a smile, wincing at the sudden movement on her shoulder. Harry walked over and cast a charm which healed most of the pain in her shoulder.

"Thanks," said Barbara, with a nod and a smile.

"Don't mention it," said Harry, waving it off. "So where are the others?"

"Dick's off doing his own thing right now as Nightwing, even though he pops in every now and again to help," said Barbara, acting as if this was just an everyday thing. "Tim's…he's meeting with his friend, Spoiler."

"Ah, any more information about her?" asked Kara.

"I'm sure Bruce is trying to get together a full background check as we speak," said Barbara with a laugh, which the other two joined in.

"Very funny," said Batman, not even turning around from his computer.

"Some days, I swear he has the super hearing," whispered Kara, with Barbara just smiling and Harry looking rather amused.

There was a moment of silence.

"So you two are about ready to head out for more training," said Batman, breaking the silence.

"Yes," answered Harry.

"So are you going to wish us luck?" asked Kara with a smile.

Batman just responded with the Batman look. Kara just frowned.

'Yep, he's always on,' thought Kara, but she was more amused than annoyed about the situation.

"Given the fact you two seem to adapt to any training rather well, you don't need luck. I would just advise both of you to be careful, but I doubt you need to know that. But I do not have any information about what you may going through, or the Guardians of OA…other than what Green Lantern has told me, which was very little."

Batman remained calm.

"Batman doesn't know something," said Kara in a mock gasp. "I need to record this, this is big. Catch me Harry, I'm faint!"

Kara pretended to faint into Harry's arms, with a grin on her face.

Batman continued, as if he did not here her. "Yet, I know enough from Green Lantern to know that you two might have your struggles, but if you exhibit the same willingness to learn and work hard, you will prosper. This will be something that could potentially dwarf every single thing that you have ever done previously. I would advise you to keep a cool head, and just remain humble. It is another new power, but do not forget the basics."

"We'll never forget the basics," said Harry.

"Yeah, especially given you basically pounded them into our head," said Kara with a smirk. "Just don't worry about it; we're ready for anything that is thrown at us."

"Just don't say that around the person that's training you," said Barbara, shuddering. "Those could be dangerous last words."

"Yes, they could be," agreed Batman.

He had made a similar slip of the tongue when he was younger and in training. He managed to wake up two days later, but one of his teachers gave him a valuable lesson.

Never overcompensate and give your instructor an unlimited license to train you without restrictions. They will find a way to make you suffer for those words, and for your absolute utter arrogance.

"By the way, I finished the video game," said Harry, and Barbara was caught off guard, before she remembered.

"When did you have the time to finish it?" asked Barbara.

"I refused to be defeated by a mere poorly done video game," said Harry savoring his triumph, but he then added in a somber voice, "I never want to fly through another ring in my life."

"Um, Harry, didn't Green Lantern say one of the first lessons in training were flying through rings?" asked Kara in a low and quiet voice.

Harry's eyes widened, as Kara and Barbara just laughed.

"Well at least you'll have the experience, both of you," said Barbara.

"I only got through the first set of rings before I toasted your controller with my heat vision if I remembered rightly," said Kara, in remembrance, but Harry seemed to be straining to recall something.

"I'm still trying to remember when he said that," mumbled Harry, suddenly, but Kara just gave him a kiss.

"The fact you finished the game tells me how patient you are," said Kara.

"Yeah, that's one way of looking at it," agreed Harry.

"You kind of have to be, if you married Kara," said Barbara with a smirk.

"Hey!" yelled Kara in mock outrage, but Barbara just laughed.

The three friends spent a bit of time catching up on what was going on recently, the final time they'd be able to get together for at least three months.

The smells of springtime were present in the farm town known as Smallville. Kara and Harry arrived, about a short time before dinner was going to begin. They could already smell it.

Kara spotted the barn door was open a half of an inch, and she heard familiar voices inside. Curiosity had gotten the better of her. Carefully, with stealth and silence, she floated over and tried to see if she could find out who was inside.

Immediately, one little look was all she needed, and in her abject horror, she flew backwards. She nearly lost her balance, but Harry caught her immediately.

"It's horrible," breathed Kara, resting in Harry's arms and blinking. "Clark….Lois…barn…bad images…bad images…never again!"

"Kara, breath," said Harry, trying to keep his face supportive and not amused at all.

Kara regained her bearings slowly. Needless to say, catching her cousin in a rather intimate act with Lois Lane was not something she expected to see. Nor it was something that she wanted to see.

"It was nothing too graphic?" asked Harry.

"No, it wasn't," said Kara, shaking her head. "But the fact it was Clark was graphic enough. I didn't need to see that."

"Weren't you the one who more or less told him he needed to get laid?" asked Harry.

"Yes, I did, but that's not the point and that's…it's really not the point," said Kara, taking a moment to regain her bearings. "He really should be more careful about locking the barn, so I don't accidentally see things that might scar me for life. Even if it is really tame compared to what we get up to…it's still not the point!"

Harry took Kara into his arms, holding her.

"I'm sure we'll find a way for you to forget the trauma tonight, honey," said Harry, with a knowing smirk, giving her light kisses on the face.

Kara just nodded, melting into her husband's embrace and kisses.

"Yeah, right, I'm sure you could find a way to make me forget," said Kara. "It just caught me off guard."

"So, I guess they're thinking of a way to work around. . . the issues," said Harry. "I'm sure that there is something in the Fortress that would…"

"No, I'm not going to think about it," said Kara, placing her fingers on Harry's lips to silence him. She gently pulled away from Harry's embrace.

"Kara, is that you out there?" asked the voice of Jonathan Kent.

"Yes, Pa, it's me," said Kara, waving at him as he walked down the path. "It's not like I have a twin, or anything, is it?"

Jonathan just chuckled at the thought, before he noticed something with his keen eye.

"Someone left the barn door open," said Jonathan, walking over, but Kara jumped with a start.

"No, Pa, trust me, you don't want to go in there," said Kara, shaking her head.

"Yeah, Jonathan, it spooked Kara," said Harry, keeping his face blank.

"It's not another infestation is it," said Jonathan, cringing at the very possibility. "Martha would have my hide if it is…"

"Trust me, an infestation would be something that would be welcomed right now compared to what I've seen in there," said Kara, closing her eyes.

Lois and Clark walked out of the barn. Clark took a step back, when he saw Kara, Harry, and his father standing out there.

"Mr. Kent, hello," said Lois, adopting a neutral expression as she walked out of the barn. "It's nice to see you again."

Jonathan got the message immediately.

"Hello Lois, didn't know you were dropping by," said Jonathan, looking at Kara with a sympathetic look and acting like no potential shenanigans had taken place in his barn.

Clark looked at his cousin and her husband, before he casually breached the subject.

"Harry, Kara, um how long were you out there?" asked Clark.

"Long enough," said Kara shortly.

"I should have…" started Clark.

"No, don't not one word, okay," said Kara, before she switched subjects faster than a speeding bullet. "So, how are things with the League?"

"They're good, put out a couple of natural disasters," said Clark, thinking back to the past few days. "Pretty much everything that's been on the news, that's all we've done."

"So, you've been staying out of trouble, Lois," said Harry, with a teasing smile towards the reporter.

"Oh you know me, a few death threats here and there, but I've managed to keep my nose clean," said Lois. "Of course, the criminals are gun shy about trying anything for some reason. Something about a League, and Justice, and the fact that they just got spooked."

"Well I'm sure there will be many more attempts on your life to make up for lost time," said Clark with a smile.

"Yeah, you're a real laugh riot, Smallville," said Lois, rolling her eyes, but in a fond way. "Don't ever change."

Lois, Clark, Kara, Harry, and Jonathan all made their way to the Kitchen, where they saw that Sirius and Tonks showed up.

"Hey, Sirius, Tonks," said Harry. "What brings you to Smallville?"

"Oh, come on, I couldn't let my godson leave for three months to some distant alien planet without saying goodbye," said Sirius, with Harry and Kara moving over to try and help Martha, but she shooed them off.

"No, you two, I appreciate the help, but this is your last night here before leaving," said Martha, cutting off any potential protests. "Just sit down, and take a seat. I'm sure you've had a long day getting everything in order."

"Boy, we have stories to tell you," said Kara with a prolonged sigh. "At least the company won't fall into the ground while we're gone."

"No, from what I've heard, you two will survive regardless of what happened," said Lois. "You seem to be the darlings of the business world. Hopefully that lasts, because people can be fickle."

"Hey, we'll have our good years, and some not so good years," said Kara.

"But we've got several plans set up," said Harry. "And saving our money wisely, and have it invested in other things, in case the economy bottoms out."

"Well that shows more foresight than most people," said Jonathan wisely. "Kids these days, it's almost like they think money is poison. They have to spend it, and don't save a dime of it…"

"Yes, Jonathan, we know your opinion, but please don't bring it to the dinner table," said Martha with a smile, setting out the plates. Clark moved over to help her.

"So, why did you stop by, Tonks?" asked Harry.

"Well, like Sirius, I wanted to see you off," said Tonks. "And someone had to babysit Sirius to make sure he didn't start any incidents."

"Hey, I've been good for almost a week," protested Sirius.

"A new record then," quipped Tonks, and Sirius just glared at his cousin.

"So, Remus couldn't…that's right full moon," said Harry, remembering. "I don't want to get his hopes up, but we might be able to come up with something to make his little furry little problem a bit more manageable."

"Yeah, I tell you about those rabbits, they're taking over everywhere," said Lois.

Harry and Kara exchanged a look. Lois didn't know, but naturally it was not their place to tell anyone about that particular secret.

"So, how's life in the land of Oz?" asked Lois. "Or did the damage from that article I wrote do them in?"

"The Ministry of Magic closed their doors just the other day," said Tonks. "They said everyone is being sent home for restructuring of the government, which is just a fancy way of saying that everyone who still worked there was fired."

"So no unemployment benefits or anything," inquired Lois.

"Given that culture hasn't advanced past Victorian Era England, what do you think?" asked Harry.

"That bad, huh," said Lois.

"Worse than bad," said Kara. "They had the gall to tell my husband that it was his responsibility to clean up everything, and prop their little world back up on his back."

"Well governments vary little the world over, both magical and normal, always looking for someone to clean up their messes and someone to blame for their own mistakes," said Lois.

Everyone nodded, sadly that did seem be the truth.

"The Ministry…well all of the witches and wizards that are left are now subjects of the actual government, and I pity the fool who has do deal with that mountain of paperwork," said Tonks shaking her head. "A lot of people got out while the getting was good. Many were killed, while others…well they're around."

"Any luck on Astoria," said Harry, casually breaking the subject.

"No, same as three days before," said Tonks. "Snape's body was found washed up off the coast of Florida. So I'm guessing he followed the same paper trail that you did. She was on an island somewhere, but she's smart enough to cover her tracks. If she didn't send you that one taunting little message, she might have gotten away with the perfect crime."

"Ego, gets them every time," said Kara.

"So what are you going to do when you find this girl?" asked Jonathan.

Harry shrugged. Honestly, he did not know. While he would not have thought Astoria to be a friend per say, he kind of did take her under his wing helping her with her homework a few times. He felt a bit of responsibility for what she did, like he would anyone else. Something drove her mad, but Harry had to know what.

"I'm more curious about who the original assassin was," said Sirius.

"We'll never know," said Tonks with a shrug, but dinner started and all conversation shifted to lighter, more happier topics.

"So, Sirius after all of these months, you never did tell me one thing," said Harry.

"And that is?" asked Sirius.

"How in the world did you fake your death in the Department of Mysteries?" asked Harry.

Sirius just gave a smile.

"Well, it's a fascinating story," said Sirius, waving everyone other. "Gather around, boys and girls and let Uncle Padfoot regale you with a tail of mystery and woe."

He made sure no one who happened to be listening in could hear him. Sirius proceeded to explain his elaborate and utterly convoluted method in cheating his own Death in the Department of Mysteries. Everyone listened to politely, and all nodded as Sirius described every moment of how he faked his own death.

There were some looks of skepticism, and no one quite knew if he was telling the truth or pulling their collective chains. Sirius shrugged.

"Well, points for creativity I guess," concluded Kara.

"I still don't know how you trained pigeons to tap dance," said Lois, shaking her head.

"That's a Black family secret," said Sirius wisely. "And now you know, and knowing is half of the battle and knowledge is power and absolute power corrupts absolutely and absolute…you know what I'll just quit while I'm ahead."

"Best idea you've ever had," said Tonks.

Everyone nodded, enjoying a bit of dessert, before Harry and Kara headed out to watch the sunset, the last one they would get to see on Earth. They sat outdoors watching it go down.

It was hard to believe that eight months ago this was the same spot that Clark had forcefully carried them back from Vegas, and Harry just blasted him the moment they set down.

In many ways, they had come a long way.

But there was still much more to come. This thought went through their mind as the happy couple exchanged a long and deep kiss as the sun set over Smallville.

They did not know what life would bring, but they would do so together.

And that wraps up Emerald Flight Book One: Union. It has been quite the ride to get to this point. And Emerald Flight Book Two: Conqueror will begin publication at some undetermined point in December 2012. Needless to say, there will be big things happened, as this book in many ways laid the groundwork for a lot is going to happen in the next two books.

So, really there is nothing more to say, other than so long, and see you over in Book Two.

The End? No, only the beginning.